Google+ for Android Adds Hangout Initiation

Google has updated the Google+ application for its Android platform. The latest version adds one significant new feature — the ability to initiate Hangouts from the phone itself (previously, the app only allowed users to join existing Hangouts). Google said that the revised application will become available in the Android Market over the next few days. Google is also adding a number of new features to the web-based version of Google+, including broader availability of Hangouts On Air, which will automatically save broadcasts to users' YouTube accounts. Google also made it easier to join hangouts from the desktop, as well as added new photo editing tools to reflect the holiday season.